The cook then came, and said, “Sir, Charles is lost.”
Mr. S. Lost! What do you mean! lost! when, and how?
Cook. We have been looking for him this half hour, Sir; he was just before that time in the broad walk with his sister; but we cannot find what is become of him.
Mr. Sinclair appeared struck; he was silent for a minute, but his lips moved as if he was uttering a short prayer. He then inquired very earnestly, but calmly, where they had looked.
F. Oh, every where, every where, Sir; Oh how unhappy I am.
Ernest. I dare say you are, but why could not you take care of the child?
Mr. S. Ernest, this is not a moment to give way to anger; we must examine how it happened afterwards; but God knows where your brother is, I trust he will enable us to find him; quick, we must lose no time; I dare say he has got into the meadow.
F. Sir, the gates are both shut.
Mr. S. The smallest gate easily shuts to, and a gust of wind may have closed it after he had gone through.
Ernest and his father then went into the meadow. On one side was a copse, through which there was a path, and on the other side the ground rose till it became a steep hill, and sloped down on the other side rather suddenly towards the lake.